[Derri]

Hi, I just recently bought a place in The Villages and Im not sure who serviced the sprinkler system before. Does anyone have a recommendation on a company who can come and show me how to run it and make sure it is set up correctly? Thank you in advance!

[villagetinker]

OP, if you have or are getting a lawn care service, they should be able to confirm the operation of the system as well as the settings. There are a few local firms that will also provide the service you need, and their names escape me at the moment. I will try to look these up and reply later.
I have used Deans for over 10 years, several neighbors use Massey, and a few are DIY for lawn care. I would also ask your neighbors who or what they do and whom they have had success with.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

OP, if you have or are getting a lawn care service, they should be able to confirm the operation of the system as well as the settings. There are a few local firms that will also provide the service you need, and their names escape me at the moment. I will try to look these up and reply later.
I have used Deans for over 10 years, several neighbors use Massey, and a few are DIY for lawn care. I would also ask your neighbors who or what they do and whom they have had success with.

I have asked Dean's several times about a sprinkler maintenance and repair service and they have always told me that they do not do it. I use Massey.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Derri

Hi, I just recently bought a place in The Villages and Im not sure who serviced the sprinkler system before. Does anyone have a recommendation on a company who can come and show me how to run it and make sure it is set up correctly? Thank you in advance!

Have you looked at any you tube videos?

[charles_2000]

I would think one of your new neighbors could help you check, run or set it up.... If your in the Deluna neighborhood, let me know and I'll come by for free and welcome you to the neighborhood! ... It's Florida's Friendliest Hometown.

[retiredguy123]

If you have a Hunter system, you can print off the exact owner's manual for your system, and you will know more about how it works than any sprinkler expert. Most experts only have a general knowledge, but they do not know how every system operates.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Derri

Hi, I just recently bought a place in The Villages and Im not sure who serviced the sprinkler system before. Does anyone have a recommendation on a company who can come and show me how to run it and make sure it is set up correctly? Thank you in advance!

ACI Irrigation and Water Wizards are two that have decent reputations.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

ACI Irrigation and Water Wizards are two that have decent reputations.

They are also very expensive.

Massey is not the best, but they are more reasonable and they will inspect your system 4 times per year for $40 per visit. They will also show up and make a very inexpensive repair in a timely manner as long as you have an ongoing service with them. Most other companies will only come when you have a problem, they will usually charge at least $100, and they will treat you like a new customer. To me, waiting for something to break is not a good plan, especially if you are a snowbird.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

They are also very expensive.

Massey is not the best, but they are more reasonable and they will inspect your system 4 times per year for $40 per visit. They will also show up and make a very inexpensive repair in a timely manner as long as you have an ongoing service with them. Most other companies will only come when you have a problem, they will usually charge at least $100, and they will treat you like a new customer. To me, waiting for something to break is not a good plan, especially if you are a snowbird.

You seem to be one of the lucky ones that Massey actually takes care of. I wasn’t.

I use ACI. They’re $50 per quarter. That includes cleaning the filters and adjusting the heads as needed. They’re far from perfect either but I’m satisfied enough with them that I haven’t resorted to doing it myself yet.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

You seem to be one of the lucky ones that Massey actually takes care of. I wasn’t.

I use ACI. They’re $50 per quarter. That includes cleaning the filters and adjusting the heads as needed. They’re far from perfect either but I’m satisfied enough with them that I haven’t resorted to doing it myself yet.

I do everything myself except dig holes to glue pipes together. I don't let anyone touch my controller because I know how it works better than any sprinkler expert. The last time I had a broken sprinkler, Massey came the next day and repaired it for free. It is good that you have a regular quarterly service. Some people just wait until they he have a geyser in their yard and then they try to find someone to fix it. This is especially bad if they are out-of-town.

I will add that I did call ACI a few months ago and asked if they had a regular maintenance program. The lady I spoke with said that they do not, and their minimum charge for a visit to the house was $85 for repeat customers and $95 for new customers, plus any additional charges for materials or extra services. Also, there was a recent post on another thread where a poster had called another irrigation service. The guy came out and charged her $300, which she said was "reasonable".

[rsmurano]

My guess is that you have a “dumb” Hunter type of sprinkler controller. Every controller that TV puts in is a dumb type of controller.
It takes you 10 mins to learn how to setup your controller with a simple program:
Run this program X number of days per week, starting at X time, with each zone running for X mins. You’re done. Then you will have the same setup as the other 99% that will be watering during a torrential downpour.

I swap out these dumb controllers for smart 1’s that apply logic in running your system based on how much rain you have received, what the prospect for upcoming storms is, and how much water is needed to fulfill your designated goal. This is a smart system that varies when it turns on and how much each zone gets water.
Some guy hired me to do this switch and he told me that deans/massey/somebody else wanted to charge him $800 which is crazy. My suggestion is to learn how to do this conversion yourself, it takes 15 mins to physically do the swap and 30 mins to program it.

[La lamy]

If you can dig a hole you can replace sprinkler heads yourself. I concur with above posts; watch some YouTube video and save yourself lots of money.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by derri

hi, i just recently bought a place in the villages and im not sure who serviced the sprinkler system before. Does anyone have a recommendation on a company who can come and show me how to run it and make sure it is set up correctly? Thank you in advance!

first of all welcome aboard. Secondly, lots of good advice in the forum. Third, i have fired 2 firms mentioned in the posts for lawn care. To me the best choice you can make is use your own eyes to evaluate your neighbors lawns and as you travel thru out tv. I've seen brown lawns with the aforementioned companies posters sticking proudly by their achievements. When you see a great lawn and an identifying sign on it take a photo. Good luck

[Rwirish]

Sprinkle Right.

[Sandancer]

CleanGreen lawn care-[352] 406-6095-excellent company, they do it all. mow lawn, trim bushes, weed, install & service irrigation systems.. come on time & very fair price..Ask for Ryan.